LG Gram 17 (2023) Review: A Super Thin-and-Light 17-Inch Laptop You Can Count On

PROS

• Lightweight and portable
• Excellent display
• Good battery life
• Great keyboard and typing experience
• Reliable everyday performance

CONS

• No 180-degree hinge
• Slow charging
• Expensive
• No camera shutter

Tech Specs

Processor:

13th Gen Intel Core Processor
i7-1360P (12 Cores: 4P + 8E, P: 2.2 up to 5.0 GHz / E: 1.6 up to 3.7 GHz)
Intel Smart Cache 18 MB

Operating System:

Windows 11 Home

Graphics:

Intel Iris Xe Graphics (i7)

Display:

Size: 17 inches (43.18 cm)
Resolution: WQXGA 2560*1600
Aspect Ratio: 16:10
Panel Type: IPS Non-Touch, Anti-Glare
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Brightness: 400 nits peak
Color Gamut: DCI-P3 99% (Typical, min 95%)
Contrast: 1200:1 (Typical) / 1500:1 (Typical)

Storage:

Memory: 16GB LPDDR5 (Dual Channel, 6000MHz)
SSD: M.2(2280) Dual SSD slots, Gen4
NVMe: 512GB, Gen4
MMC Slot: Micro SD

Connectivity:

Wireless: Intel Wireless-AX211 (802.11ax, 2x2, Dual Band, BT Combo)
Bluetooth: BT 5.1
Webcam: FHD IR Webcam with Dual Mic (Face recognition)
Audio: HD Audio with Dolby Atmos
Speakers: Stereo Speaker 2.0W x 2 (iGPU)

I/O:

USB Type A: USB 3.2 Gen2x1 (x2)
USB Type C: USB 4 Gen3x2 Type C (x2, with USB PD, Display Port, Thunderbolt 4)
HDMI: Yes

Battery:

Battery: 80Wh Li-Ion

Dimensions/Weight:

Dimensions: 378.8 x 258.8 x 17.8mm
Weight: 1.350kg

Color:

Color: Black

The LG Gram series of laptops is known for offering impressively lightweight productivity laptops, and if you're eyeing thin and light, you might have stumbled upon this lineup. But what if you need a spacious 17-inch laptop that is also extremely lightweight? Well, LG has you covered with its latest iteration of the LG Gram 17 which boasts a slim and light design, reliable performance, and a spacious 17-inch screen.

Given the features, the LG Gram 17 has a lot going for it. But should you consider it given the asking price of Rs 1,42,990 (MRP Rs 1,83,000)? Let's dive into the review to find out.

Display & Design

If you're someone who appreciates a laptop with a generous 17-inch display, the LG Gram 17 (2023) could be your perfect companion. It's designed to make your work tasks a breeze, especially if you deal with spreadsheets, and documents, or need to juggle numerous applications simultaneously. Even for leisure activities like watching movies or editing, the spacious screen greatly enhances your viewing pleasure.

The LG Gram 17 (2023) maintains the impressive display quality of its predecessor, featuring a 17-inch IPS non-touch-enabled screen with a WQXGA resolution (2,560x1,600) and an extensive 99 percent color gamut on the DCI-P3 scale. While the refresh rate maxes out at 60Hz, the slim bezels create a comfortable 16:10 aspect ratio, which is ideal for both work and entertainment. Plus, the anti-glare coating ensures a glare-free experience even in well-lit environments.

Speaking of entertainment, you'll be delighted to know that the LG Gram 17 (2023) offers an immersive experience for your favorite shows. Watching anime like Jujutsu Kaisen at 1080p resolution is a treat, even if it doesn't quite match the punchy colors and deep blacks of AMOLED displays like the Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro 360 (which I reviewed long back). The IPS panel used here performs admirably.
Lastly, the brightness of the laptop is just about sufficient for outdoor use, but I would have preferred a brighter screen.

As for design, LG has kept it sleek and practical. The laptop's magnesium alloy chassis not only offers durability but also keeps the weight remarkably light at just 1.35kg. You have the choice of a black or white model, though the black one tends to show fingerprints more. LG's commitment to minimalism is evident in the absence of excessive stickers on the laptop's body, maintaining a clean and sophisticated appearance.

So, if you're a professional looking for a laptop that strikes the perfect balance between portability and productivity, the LG Gram 17 (2023) won't disappoint. Whether it's for work or play, this laptop's impressive display, combined with its immersive entertainment capabilities, makes it a well-rounded choice.

Ports

The LG Gram 17 (2023) provides a well-rounded selection of ports. On the left side, you'll find two Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI 2.1 video output, and a 3.5mm audio jack. On the right side, there are two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports and a MicroSD card slot. This laptop also supports Wi-Fi 6 for fast wireless networking, making it versatile for various connectivity needs.

Performance

The LG Gram 17 (2023) is powered by the latest 13th-Gen Intel i7-1360P processor with EVO certification. Introduced in September 2020, Intel Evo is a certification that brings high-performance laptops characterized by outstanding responsiveness, extended battery life, rapid charging, and sleek, lightweight form factors, delivering a superior computing experience to users. This certification ensures that the LG Gram 17 (2023) meets essential criteria for such portable devices. The Gram 17 also features a memory configuration of 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB NVMe Gen 4 storage, a common and reliable combination.

When it comes to performance, the LG Gram 17 (2023) delivered commendable results in our benchmarks (refer to the images below). In everyday use, the laptop exhibited consistent and smooth performance with minimal hiccups. Despite operating in high-performance mode, the laptop's fans remained reasonably quiet. Even with my tendency to run as many as 15 Chrome tabs simultaneously, the LG Gram 17 (2023) handled the load admirably without showing any signs of overheating.

However, it's important to note that this laptop is primarily designed for productivity tasks, and gaming is not its primary forte. While it can handle FPS games like Valorant and CS2 with relative ease, it falls short when it comes to running demanding AAA titles due to the absence of a dedicated graphics card.

Benchmarks

Keyboard, Trackpad, & Webcam

The LG Gram 17 (2023) boasts a spacious design that accommodates a full-sized keyboard with a dedicated numpad, offering soft key feedback ideal for extended typing. The keyboard features two brightness levels for its LEDs. The keyboard deck, while slightly flexible, doesn't impact typing. The centrally aligned trackpad, although sizeable, avoids unintended touches. However, its click and feedback might not suit everyone.

Surprisingly, the keyboard deck remains stable despite flexibility in other areas. It features a standard 4 x 4 layout with generously sized plus, minus, and Enter keys, ideal for number-centric tasks. The keys provide a pleasant tactile feel with a comfortable 1.7mm travel distance.

The trackpad, although seemingly smaller due to its surroundings, is actually quite spacious at 130 x 82mm, offering precise clicks on its smooth surface.

The LG Gram 17 (2023) comes with a 1080p webcam that delivers a mediocre performance. When you're in controlled settings, the microphone and camera can be considered decent for video calls, but you may still encounter a significant amount of background noise in the video feed. It's worth noting that the power button, despite its initial appearance as a potential fingerprint reader, does not actually function as one.

Audio

The LG Gram 17 (2023) boasts two 2W speakers that come with Dolby Atmos support. While the speakers do not have volume issues, their clarity and bass performance fall below par, a common trait among most Windows laptops.

In this regard, it's important to highlight that Apple's MacBook series continues to hold the title for providing the best sound quality on any laptop.

Battery

The LG Gram 17 (2023) has the same 80Wh battery and 65W adapter as the previous model, but it offers excellent battery life. In the Pure Battery Analytics benchmark, the LG Gram 17 (2023) lasted 7 hours and 46 minutes on a single charge, even with the brightness and keyboard backlight turned on. You can easily get more than that by turning down the brightness. However, the laptop takes a long time to charge, reaching 50% in an hour and fully charging in over two hours.

Software

The LG Gram 17 (2023) comes with the standard Windows 11 Home OS. It also includes LG Glance, a software suite that uses the webcam to provide some impressive security features. For example, the suite automatically blurs the display when you step away from your laptop and notifies you if someone is looking over your shoulder.

It also includes practical features like pausing video playback when you look away and a security shortcut to quickly disable the webcam and microphone, enhancing your privacy.
Should You Get the LG Gram 17 (2023)?

The LG Gram 17 (2023) shines when it comes to delivering an exceptional viewing experience on its expansive screen while retaining remarkable portability. However, some areas could be improved.
For starters, the alloy body of the laptop feels like plastic, which doesn't scream premium as this thin-and-light doesn't come cheap. Additionally, the large screen tends to wobble, which may be a concern for some users. Yet, the primary issue revolves around its pricing, sporting an MRP of Rs 1,83,000 but available for Rs 1,42,990. For just a slightly higher investment, alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro 360 offer superior features, such as a smoother 120Hz refresh rate.

Nevertheless, if your priorities lean towards portability, a vibrant and colorful display, a comfortable keyboard, and exceptional battery life, the LG Gram 17 (2023) holds its ground as a dependable choice.